Louisa May Alcott Quotes

You can go through the world with your elbows out and your nose in the air, and call it independence, if you like. That's not my way.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Jo couldn’t even lose her heart in a decorous manner, but sternly tried to quench her feelings, and failing to do so, led a somewhat agitated life. She was mortally afraid of being laughed at for surrendering, after her many and vehement declarations of independence.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I don't like favors; they oppress and make me fell like a slave. I'd rather do everything for myself, and be perfectly independent.

~ Louisa May Alcott

To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time. Yes, she could do that, and with a very earnest prayer Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died.

~ Louisa May Alcott

…a woman's always safe and comfortable when a fellow's down on his luck.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Jo's face was a study next day, for the secret rather weighed upon her, and she found it hard not to look mysterious and important. Meg observed it, but did not troubled herself to make inquiries, for she had learned that the best way to manage Jo was by the law of contraries, so she felt sure of being told everything if she did not ask.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Prosperity suits some people, and they blossom best in a glow of sunshine; others need the shade, and are the sweeter for a touch of frost.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Who are your heroes? asked Jo.Grandfather and Napoleon.

~ Louisa May Alcott

It’s bad enough to love someone who don’t love you, but to have them told of it is perfectly awful. It makes me wild just to think of it. Ah, Fan, I’m getting so ill tempered and envious and wicked, I don’t know what will happen to me. - Polly

~ Louisa May Alcott

Mothers can forgive anything! Tell me all, and be sure that I will never let you go, though the whole world should turn from you.

~ Louisa May Alcott

The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlid here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Dan clung to her in speechless gratitude, feeling the blessedness of mother love, — that divine gift which comforts, purifies, and strengthens all who seek it.

~ Louisa May Alcott

And mother-like, Mrs. Jo forgot the threatened chastisement in tender lamentations over the happy scapegrace…

~ Louisa May Alcott

Take some books and read, that’s an immense help, and books are always good company if you have the right sort.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I'm tired of praise; and love is very sweet, when it is simple and sincere like this.

~ Louisa May Alcott

...freedom being the sauce best beloved by the boyish soul.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I keep turning over new leaves, and spoiling them, as I used to spoil my copybooks; and I make so many beginnings there never will be an end. (Jo March)

~ Louisa May Alcott

We don't choose our talents, but we needn't hide them in a napkin because they are not just what we want.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Have regular hours for work and play make each day both useful and pleasant and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful old age will bring few regrets and life will become a beautiful success.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long even if it is the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one.

~ Louisa May Alcott

A little kingdom I possess Where thoughts and feelings dwell And very hard the task I find Of governing it well.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Jo knew nothing about philosophy or metaphysics of any sort, but a curious excitement, half pleasurable, half painful, came over her, as she listened with a sense of being turned adrift into time and space, like a young balloon out on a holiday.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Love is a great beautifier.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning how to sail my ship.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn't worth ruling.

~ Louisa May Alcott

I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don't think any one will deny us.

~ Louisa May Alcott

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.

~ Louisa May Alcott

You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long, and the great charm of all power is modesty.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.

~ Louisa May Alcott

Happy is the son whose faith in his mother remains unchallenged.

~ Louisa May Alcott

What do girls do who haven't any mothers to help them through their troubles?

~ Louisa May Alcott

Money is the root of all evil, and yet it is such a useful root that we cannot get on without it any more than we can without potatoes.

~ Louisa May Alcott